Outdoor Activities for Late Summertime Fun
It’s hard to believe summer is almost gone! Kids are going back to school, and many families are looking forward to the cooler temps and more structured schedules that come with fall. But August can still be such an in between time – your kids’ school may not have started yet, or you may need activities for younger kids or home-schooled students. If that’s the case, check out this list for late summertime fun!
Most of the activities on this list are free, and they come with opportunities for your kids to use their imaginations and burn off some energy. These ideas also provide great opportunities for you to teach your kids about their world and all of God’s creation.
· Visit your local zoo
Kids of all ages love the zoo, and late summer is a great time to visit as some zoos have baby animals in their exhibits! Many zoos have special exhibits where children can pet or feed some of the animals. Zoos also often have short presentations where kids can learn more about their favorite animals.
· Visit a splash pad
Need to keep cool? Splash pads often stay open at least through Labor Day weekend. Kids love trying to figure out which fountain will shoot water next or when the buckets will dump water!
· Go to a ballgame
Grab a friend and catch a ballgame. Many minor league baseball teams have affordable tickets as well as playground areas and special activities for kids. No minor league teams in your area? Check with your local recreation department. They’ll undoubtedly have a schedule for baseball, softball, soccer, and other youth sports. Bonus if you can cheer for a sibling’s or a neighbor’s team!
· Go on a nature walk
Hit a trail and explore nature. Talk about the different trees, flowers, and animals you may run across. Name the different colors you see on the trees and flowers. Smell the different fragrances. Count how many birds you see or how many streams you cross. Make up fun adventure stories as you walk.
· Have a picnic
Pack a picnic lunch and take it to a park – or to your own backyard. Let your kids help you pick the menu, grab a blanket, and enjoy eating outdoors. After you eat, lie back, and look for clouds shaped like animals. Or, grab a late night snack and stargaze before bed. Look for shooting stars, and help older kids identify the moon, planets, and constellations.
· Visit a neighborhood park
Sometimes we forget just how fun a park can be. Let your kids swing, slide, and dig in the sand. Chase a ball, blow some bubbles, or run around being silly. Some parks even have train rides and little-kid-friendly rollercoasters.
· Catch a concert
Several communities have free concerts during the summer months. Pack a blanket and some snacks and enjoy a local performance. You can talk (quietly or during breaks!) about the different instruments and let your kids dance nearby while the musicians perform.
· Visit a farmer’s market or community garden
Help your kids learn about fruits and vegetables by taking them to a farmer’s market. Farmers are often happy to talk about how they plant, care for, and harvest their crops. Let your kids pick out a new fruit or vegetable to try and cook it together when you get home. You can also make arrangements to visit a community garden and ask volunteers to show your kids the different plants and how to care for them.
· Go fishing
Many towns have community ponds where residents can fish (just check local rules for licensing requirements). If you’re not up for fishing, ask fishermen nearby if your child can touch his or her catch. Talk about how the scales feel, the difference between saltwater and freshwater fish, and what kinds of fish are in your area.
· Experiment outdoors
Kids are curious, and you can introduce science to them in a number of ways. Little kids love textures and colors. Set up a station in your backyard or on your porch where they can play with playdoh, slime, or finger paint. You can find recipes online to make your own playdoh and slime if your kids are old enough (with your supervision, of course) to measure and combine ingredients. You can even use food coloring to color different glasses of water and let your kids combine them to create new colors. If your kids are old enough, try the Mentos and Diet Coke experiment. Just dress your kids in play clothes, and be prepared for them to get messy!
We love this list because it offers fun ways to teach your kids about nature – and about God’s creations. Your kids will have fun – and we’re betting you will, too! What activities would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
At One by One, we mentor and educate moms to parent well. The years between birth and three are critical to a child’s brain development. We love activities that help children develop brains that are capable of any challenge! If you would like to learn more about One by One and how we help moms become their children’s first and best teachers, click here.